I started seeing a neurologist recently because of left-sided weakness, short term memory loss, loss of some fine motor skills,
dizzyness, neck pain, ringing ears, problems with my balance, (a lot of the same symptoms of MS), abnormal EEG, abnormal MRI of brain (white lesions)
I had a visit with my neurologist this week, and he informed me that my ANA levels are elevated enough to indicate that I definitely have some sort of autoimmune disease.
He is running the tests again, and others,something to check my nerve function? (I told him that when I talk a lot lately - I "stumble" over my words) to try to find the cause...
I'm really very ignorant when it comes to this... I don't/didn't even know what ANA was
Anyone else have this?
He also did a lyme titre and a Western Blot. And told me they were "perfect" -
although he has told me that he thinks the issues I'm having with my memory, and other brain stuff could be from permanent damage from having lyme.
Personally - I know I still have it, and will until the day I die.
Back in 2003 when I was finally diagnosed with Lyme - I had one positive marker on the Western Blot -
If I remember right, I think it was 41 (flagella?)
My LLMD thought that I was most likely infected at a very young age. Probably when I was 3 years old.
To make a very long story short - I got very sick, knees swelled up, very painful, fever, and a few strange, round "rashes" on my torso.
They even called in two specialists who didn't know what it was.
Ever since then the "rollercoaster" began. (arthritis that came and went to different joints,
fatigue, heart issues, strange symptoms and pains that they could never find an answer to....etc. the list goes on and on....you know the drill....
I have been without an LLMD for about 3 years now, and my symptoms have gotten worse.
Just not sure what to expect with this new ANA thing...
Anyone feel like educating me - or giving me your thoughts?
Thanks so much for listening. I would at the least like to get some more of the old "me" back,
because for about the last year - I do not even feel like "me" anymore....
P.S. Should I have posted this to Medical?
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I had a positive speckled ANA.
My LLMD says he sees lots of lyme patients with a positive ANA. It is an inflammatory marker.
He said it usually improves with lyme treatment.
Mine did improve with treatment.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I was told by my LLMD that elevated ANA levels are common in Lyme disease. Mine are elevated.
** moving to medical**
Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
Mine are elevated 1:640 my gp thinks it lupus.. who knows
Posted by ArtnSoul (Member # 4561) on :
Thanks for the responses.
phyl6648 - Lupus was one of the things that my neurologist mentioned. I can't remember the other ones he mentioned.
I went by myself, and I usually take someone with me because of my memory issues...
I have a bunch more blood work to get done.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Q: Elevated ANA levels, anyone??
Just about anyone with lyme. -
Posted by Messa (Member # 38065) on :
I have it too.
Posted by ArtnSoul (Member # 4561) on :
Thank you for the responses.
Does anyone know the "mechanics" behind it?
Is it because Lyme is so wide-spread in the body, that in trying to fight it off,
it causes inflammation - making it "look" like an autoimmune disease?
I'm just trying to understand...
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
My anti-nuclear anti-body test was positive at 1:640 for ten years. Diagnosed with lupus. Then finally correct diagnosis of Lyme and treatment. I am now ANA negative and no longer in an autoimmune state. My body is not attacking itself anymore.